In a recent announcement, Ramón Sáez, the Provincial Delegate for Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, revealed that the government of Castilla-La Mancha has allocated seven million euros in advances from the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) to over 5,000 farmers and ranchers in Albacete. This initiative underscores the vital role of the agri-food sector in the region's economy.
Sáez made the announcement during the ‘Almond and Pistachio 2026’ Forum, which focused on developing new strategies to ensure the profitability of these key crops in the Spanish agricultural landscape. He emphasised that agriculture, cooperativism, and industrial development have been crucial in establishing a modern and competitive agri-food sector in the region.
The agri-food sector currently accounts for 17% of the regional GDP, generating nearly 93,000 jobs and boasting exports exceeding 3.8 billion euros. Sáez pointed out that the future of the regional agricultural sector faces significant challenges, particularly with the upcoming reforms to the PAC, which will alter its structure and funding.
Specifically, he highlighted the recent payment of advances linked to surface area and livestock assistance, which was formalised on the previous Friday. Of the total amount, 2.23 million euros were allocated for crops such as tree nuts (including pistachios and almonds), traditional olive groves, protein crops, and tomatoes for industrial processing. This payment directly benefits 4,639 farmers, who have now received 75% of the expected amount for this aid.
For the livestock sector, 4.77 million euros were distributed among 648 ranchers through five different aid lines, including extensive and semi-extensive sheep and goat farming, as well as support for suckler cows (beef cattle) and dairy cattle. Together with payments made in the second half of October, these advances have injected over 82 million euros into the agricultural and livestock sectors of Albacete, benefiting a total of 12,200 farmers and ranchers in the province.
During his speech, Sáez took the opportunity to commend the Interpresas group for organising the forum and for their ongoing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of producers while promoting innovation and sustainable development in Spanish agriculture, positioning almonds and pistachios as future pillars of the sector.
